Leicester flanker Brett Deacon has been forced to retire due to illness and has taken up a coaching role with the club's Academy.

The 31-year-old contracted a blood condition and has not played for the Tigers since their Aviva Premiership victory over Wasps in April.

And he has been forced to bring down the curtain on his career on medical advice.

He told the club website: "I've had a very enjoyable career and it is disappointing when the decision to stop playing is taken out of your hands but I have to go with the medical advice.

"Every young player growing up in the area wants to play for Leicester Tigers and I was fortunate enough to be able to do that, and to play for the club alongside my brother.

"I was a supporter on the terraces and ended up playing through the Academy and into the first team which was all I ever wanted to do."

Deacon made his Leicester debut in 2003 alongside brother and England international Louis.

He went on to make 135 appearances for the club, either side of a spell at Gloucester, and played a part in three Premiership title triumphs.

Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill said: "Brett was a homegrown player who became an important part of the first-team squad here. He always gave everything for the team and is a Leicester Tiger to the core.

"It is important to have that 'Leicester' presence throughout the club and continuity. We wish him well in his new role working with the Academy."